PERSONAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14691, 27 May 1911, Page 8

PERSONAL ITEMS.

M*. Justice Edwards returned from Hamilton yesterday afternoon.

Mr. L. J. Bagnall has resigned his position as patron of. the Auckland Citizens' League.

The commandant (Major-General God ley) left Lyttelton for Wellington by the steamer Mararoa last evening.

Sir. T. A. Izard and Sir. T. B. Boulton, of Christchurch. arrived in Auckland yesterday morning. They are staying at tho Star Hotel.

Lieutenant J. SlcDougall, of the Grenadier Guards, who has been appointed aide-de-camp to the Governor, arrived in Auckland by the Main Trunk express train yesterday" morning.

Bishop Crossley, •who has been on a visit to To Kao, North Auckland, returned by the steamer Apanui yesterday, in company with the Revs. Hawkins and. McWilliams.

Sir Robert Stout, Chancellor of the New Zealand University, will preside at the rapping ceremony of the Auckland University College on Friday next. Jhe Chief "Justice leaves for Rarotonga on the following day. ,

Mr. Justice Chapman, who has been presiding at the sittings of tho Supreme Court during the absence of Mr. Justice .Edwards in Hamilton, will leave for Wellington by the express train to-morrow evening. ;

Among the passengers by the steamer Manuka, which arrived in Wellington on Thursday, were Messrs. Godfrey Buddie and Eric Rhodes, of Auckland, who have completed courses at the University ot California, and nr& returning to their homes. Sir. Uuddl© graduated in ci\il engineering, and Mr. Rhodes in mining engineering.

Mr. Robert. Noton, who for some three years has been licensee of the Thistle Hotel, leaves to-morrow night, for Wellington. Last night, he was the guest at a valedictory entertainment at the Thistle Hotel. Mr. J. S. Palmer, president of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, presented Mr. Noton with a parse of 50 sovereigns and a serviceable suit-case. During the evening songs and recitations were given by Messrs. Abel Row©, A. ",T. Black, L. Abrahams and F. Adeane.

The funeral of Mr." Harry Herbert, a well-known member of Mr. William Anderson's Roberts-Day Dramatic Company, took placo yesterday * afternoon.* The cortege was a long one, and in addition to a large number of the deceased's friends there were present: Mr. H. R. Roberts and all the members of the company. Mr. Michael Joseph, representing Mr. Win. Anderson, and representatives of Messrs. Fuller and Sons, West's Proprietary, the Auckland St.i£o Hands' Union, the Commercial Travellers' Club, and the Auckland Club.

Mr. William Benoni Parker died at Blenheim on Thursday night. _ The deceased, who was born in London in 1837, arrived in New Zealand in 1861. After spending three years on the O.tago goldfields he went to Marlborough, where he had since resided. He was one of the founders of the Methodist Church in Blenheim, and at the time of his death was trustee and senior circuit steward/ He was also chairman of the Wairau Hospital Board, a member of the Marlborough Education Board, and an ex-councillor. He leaves a widow and five sons. -

A novel innovation in connection with the Auckland Mayoral office was initiated yesterday afternoon, when the Mayoress (Mrs. C. J. Parr) was "At Home" at. the Municipal Buildings, Coburg-street. •The various rooms were artistically decorated with palms, foliage, plants and arum lilies, the whole effect being enhanced by softly shaded lights. A string band was in attendance, and tea was laid in the Mayor's room, 'the table "being massed with scarlet and white blooms. It is Mrs. Parr's intention to hold several similar functions during the ensuing year. ' , .

The Hon. T. Mackenzie (Minister for Agriculture and Industries and Commerce) visited the Waerenga Experimental Station yesterday, and was to have left for Wellington by last evening's express. Prior to his departure from Auckland yesterday morning, the Minister was waited upon by Messrs. G. J. Garland, A. B. Harris and J. Armstrong, members of the Winter,. Show executive, who thanked him for visiting Auckland for the purpose of, opening the show, and for the valuable assistance extended by his Department in making it a success. Mr. Mackenzie, in his reply, said he had spent a pleasant time in Auckland, and that he had greatly benefitted in health as a .result of his visit. Mr. Mackenzie states that he is as yet unable to make any statement as to which scat he will be a candidate for at the general election in the event of the Taieri electorate being abolished in the. triennial readjustment of boundaries* He considers it possible that his district may be abolished, but even in such case lie is unable to say whether he will contest a Northern seat as has been suggested.